KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 11 January) – At least P40 million has been allocated to rehabilitate the old City Hall building of Koronadal, where a branch of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) will be housed, Senator Loren Legarda said.
Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, announced the funding during Saturday’s 86th foundation anniversary of Koronadal, where she was the keynote speaker.
She said she included the P40 million funds for the facelift of the old City Hall in the 2026 national budget, which President Ferdinand Marcos signed last January 5.
“The National Museum will not only showcase the culture of the city of Koronadal … but the whole of South Cotabato and even Sarangani, and all (of) Soccsksargen will now have a home for their heritage and culture,” she said.
Jeremy Barns, NMP director general, made a presentation about the National Museum to the City Council last Friday, in line with efforts to get the support of the city government for the establishment of a National Museum branch here.
In October 2024, Mayor Eliordo Ogena signed a deed of usufruct with the NMP for the establishment of the museum at the old City Hall compound.
The usufruct agreement grants NMP use for 25 years of the 9,851-square meter property housing the old City Hall building and grounds, located across the landmark rotunda or “round ball.”
The old City Hall building, which houses the Bureau of Fire Protection, city library and a pasalubongcenter, is about three kilometers away from City Hall, which is located along the national highway.
With a National Museum in the city, Legarda, noted that Koronadal would become “the premier destination in Soccsksargen in matters related to culture, heritage and history.”
Region 12 or Soccsksargen comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, (North) Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.
Koronadal is the seat of government of Region 12 and the capital of South Cotabato. It is home to a diversified culture with a population mix of indigenous peoples, Muslims and Christians.
Aside from the component National Museum in this city, Legarda said the NMP will also put up another one in Lake Sebu, the summer and cultural hub of South Cotabato.
“This (South Cotabato) is perhaps the only province where we (will) have two national museums,” she said.
She said the Lake Sebu local government unit also agreed to grant a usufruct to the NMP for the establishment of a museum there.
Lake Sebu is currently home to three Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (Gamaba) awardees, or national living treasures. These are Barbara Ofong for Tnalak weaving, Bundos Fara for Tboli brass casting, and Rosie Sula for Tboli chanting.
Its first Gamaba, Tnalak weaver Lang Dulay, passed away in 2015. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
